Christine Sinclair: Canadian Soccer Legend’s 5 Greatest Moments

Christine Sinclair has forever etched her name in the annals of women’s soccer as one of the sport’s all-time greatest players. Her career spanned decades, marked by exceptional goal-scoring prowess, leadership on the field, and some astounding statistics – like the most goals scored by any player on the world stage (and that includes male players.)

Sinclair got her start at the University of Portland, where she immediately got attention as a standout player. Winning the Hermann Trophy twice (in 2004 and 2005) underscored her dominance.

Her Team Canada debut was in 2000 and her impact was immediate. She quickly became Canada’s all-time leading scorer and captain by playing a pivotal role in the team’s historic bronze medal win at the 2012 London Olympics.

With a career spanning more than 20 seasons with the senior national team, Sinclair has participated in six FIFA Women’s World Cups (United States 2003, China 2007, Germany 2011, Canada 2015, France 2019, and Australia and New Zealand 2023) and four Olympic Tournaments (Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020). Her leadership as captain led the national team to third-place finishes in 2012 and 2016 and a first-place victory in 2020.

In 2020 she surpassed Abby Wambach’s record for the most international goals scored by any player, male or female.

Sinclair’s club career has been equally impressive, most notably, her tenure with the Portland Thorns FC in the NWSL. Portland was the first team to win three NWSL Championships, the third to win two NWSL Shields, and they won the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup.

She’s been the winner of fourteen Canada Soccer Player of the Year titles and her record-breaking goal-scoring feats (scored 187 international goals 12 Olympic goals) are testaments to her exceptional contributions to the sport.

Five Great Christine Sinclair Moments

Christine Sinclair gets a beauty free kick GOAL in the 2012 Olympics game vs. England.

Sinclair has a header into Australia’s net.

Sinclair makes an incredible tight-angled shot into the goal after an equally challenging cross pass.

Sinclair scores against the powerhouse Team USA at the 2012 London Olympics.

Another incredible highlight from the 2012 London Olympics came during Canada’s match against South Africa. Her header hits the crossbar so she grabs her own rebound for the goal.

Christine Sinclair has left an indelible mark on the sport. Her legacy as a soccer legend remains firmly entrenched in the hearts of Canadian fans and in the history of women’s soccer.

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